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UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY PLENARY MEETING
AGENDA ITEM 14: REPORT of the IAEA

STATEMENT BY H.E. MR. SHINICHI KITAOKA,
DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF JAPAN TO THE UNITED NATIONS

1 November 2004

Mr. President,

Let me begin by expressing my appreciation for the detailed report on the activities of the IAEA.

At present, the international nuclear nonproliferation regime is facing serious challenges, and strengthening the nonproliferation regime is one of the most important tasks requiring action on the part of the international community.

At the same time, nuclear energy remains an important source of energy, which contributes to the stability of the energy supply and the prevention of global warming. The peaceful applications of nuclear energy, which extend to such fields as human health, agriculture and industry, are extremely beneficial to the economic and social development of the international community. It is for that reason that the dual role of the IAEA in promoting both the strengthening of the nuclear nonproliferation regime and the peaceful use of nuclear energy has taken on increasingly greater importance.

Mr. President,

Today I would like to make brief mention of several of the activities of the IAEA which Japan considers to be most important.

First, strengthening of the nuclear nonproliferation regime is one of Japan's top foreign policy priorities. Next year, 2005 is an important year: it marks the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Japan, and the NPT Review Conference will be convened in 2005. The international community is strongly expected to renew its commitment to nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation and intensify its efforts towards the realization of disarmament, and particularly nuclear disarmament. For the purpose of achieving substantive reinforcement of the nuclear nonproliferation regime, strengthening of IAEA safeguards will be key. Japan, for its part, is continuing its efforts for the universalization of the Additional Protocol, which it regards as the most realistic and effective route to achieving that goal. I take this opportunity to urge those countries which have not yet concluded the Additional Protocol to do so at the earliest possible date.

Second, the nuclear programmes of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea poses a threat to the peace and stability of the Northeast Asia region and a major challenge to the international nuclear nonproliferation regime. Japan strongly requests the DPRK to comply with all international agreements pertaining to nuclear issues, including the NPT, and to abandon all of its nuclear programmes including its uranium enrichment programme in their entirety under a credible international verification.

Third, with regard to Iran, it is essential that the government of Iran sincerely implement all requirements of the relevant IAEA resolutions. Efforts by Iran to enhance transparency and thereby dispel the deep concern of the international community will be essential for the early resolution of this issue.

Japan highly appreciates Libya's decision to abandon its nuclear program and all other WMD programs and move forward in cooperation with the international community, which represents a great success of the past year. We strongly urge that other states of concern with respect to nuclear proliferation follow Libya's example and commit to cooperating fully with the IAEA.

Finally, as a result of the forthcoming cooperation by Japan for long years, the implementation of the integrated safeguards started in Japan in September of this year, making ours the first country engaged in large-scale nuclear energy activities to have their implementation. In terms of both the enforcement of the measures and the example that it sets for other countries, we regard their implementation in Japan as a great accomplishment. Japan also welcomes the decisions taken by the IAEA from the point of view of encouraging the effective use of the limited resources available to us.

Mr. President,

The international community is thus confronted with major challenges as it endeavors to strengthen the nuclear nonproliferation regime. At the same time, the expectations placed on the IAEA and the roles it is required to play have expanded. Please be assured that Japan will continue to provide active assistance to the IAEA in fulfilling its critical mission.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Related Information (Atomic Energy)

Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations Official Web Site